With the NBA Draft fast approaching, and the Early Entry List set, it's time to examine more in depth some of the players who could be available for each of the Pacers three picks. (I am operating under the assumption Dallas will be sending us their 2nd round pick this year, not next, to complete the Shawne Williams deal. June 1st is the final deadline for Dallas to decide.)
Obviously, the Pacers 1st Round pick is the most exciting and has the most potential for value. As we need a lot of improvement in all areas, I will be looking at players who should be available for all three picks. My plan is to post two profiles a day, for 2nd rounders, until the Draft Lottery on May 18th. After the team's first round position is finalized, I'll begin profiling 1st Rounders.
These profiles cover players I believe have some value to offer the Pacers next season and in the future. These profiles are not intended to advocate for one player over another, just examine their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss in some detail what they have to offer. For each profile I provided Ten Important Statistics to guide the discussion. When discussing how each player can help the Pacers I will try to specifically reference the team needs I identified in Setting the Table for the Pacers Summer. Here is who we will be looking at today:
Marquez Haynes - PG/SG - 6'3" 185 lbs. - University of Texas at Arlington
| Pts/40 | Reb/40 | Ast/40 | Stl/40 | eFG% | 3PT% | FT% | FTA/40 | FGA/POS | TO/40 |
| 27.1 | 5.1 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 55.0% | 40.9% | 74.6% | 9.9 | 0.76 | 4.3 |
Strengths -
- Haynes is a very good and very efficient scorer. He shot 52.2% on 2PT baskets on 40.9% on 3PT baskets, for an eFG% of 55.0%. He also got to the free throw line at a tremendous rate. His scoring efficiency is even more remarkable when you consider that he was the only serious offensive threat on his team, and bore the entirety of the opposing defense's focus.
- Although Haynes was more of a scorer than a distributor, he has more playmaking potential than his numbers show.
- Marquez Haynes is an above average athlete. His physical profile, specifically size and strength, are very impressive for a point guard.
- Likely a role player in the NBA, Haynes spent the first two seasons of his college career as an off the bench role player for Boston College. Many high scoring guards from smaller schools struggle transitioning to the NBA, because they don't have any experience modifying their skills to be effective in a supporting role. Haynes has this experience, having played 2 years as a defensive specialist for BC.
- Haynes also has tremendous defensive potential.
- Some highlights:
Weaknesses -
- Acting as the major scorer and facilitator for his team's offense this season, Haynes turned the ball over at a huge rate, 4.3 per 40 minutes.
- Haynes shot the ball on 76% of his possessions last season. Despite having experience in a supporting role from his time at BC, Haynes will need to adjust to taking fewer shots and handling the ball much less.
- Haynes is more of a combo guard than a pure point. While his size and strength are excellent for a point guard, he may struggle defending shooting guards at the next level.
How he can help the Pacers -
- Marquez Haynes can be a large talent upgrade at the end of the Pacers bench next year. I see his role being similar to the one Luther Head played this year. Haynes can come off the bench and see spot minutes at either guard spot. Like Head, he can help handle the ball, spread the floor with his shooting and make the extra pass.
- He will add quickness and athleticism in the backcourt.
- Haynes has the potential to be a very good individual and team defender.
- He has the ability to break down the defense, get his own shot or create opportunities for others. This was an area of weakness for the Pacers this year. When the set offense wasn't working, the team too often fell into the habit of forcing long contested jumpers. Haynes' offensive skills can create opportunities in those scenarios.
More Information -